Sailing Charter itinerary in Sardinia and Emerald Coast
The island of Sardinia, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a unique combination of sea, nature, sand, customs, traditions, and history. The second-largest in the Mediterranean sea, the island has nearly 1,200 miles of coastline home to stunning beaches, strange rock formations, hidden caves, secluded bays, and most importantly, stunning turquoise-blue waters. During its long history, the coastal areas of Sardinia were visited and colonized by many different cultures (Carthaginians, Romans, Arabians, Spaniards), which have all influenced the island in their own way, creating a unique Sardinian culture. Traditions, history, architecture, food, and nature make this island the perfect charter destination.
A sailing charter in Sardinia offers something for everyone. Sardinia has something for you, whether you are looking to relax, snorkel underneath pristine and crystal blue waters, eat delicious cuisine, or embark on unforgettable adventures.
Are you ready to begin your yacht experience in Sardinia? Let’s go.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Day 1: Our crew will arrange a taxi pick-up after you arrive at the airport. Our driver will take you to meet the crew at the marina. Once aboard the boat, you will be briefed before settling in and enjoying your welcome cocktail. Today is about exploring Portisco; from the sweeping vistas across the Mediterranean to the quaint harbor overflowing with luxury yachts, there isn’t a town in Sardinia that offers the same appeal as Portisco.
You’ll be able to enjoy one of the many beautiful sandy beaches around Portisco or instead opt to explore some of the area’s gorgeous coves. For lunch, we will eat at Matt’s, located in the center of the Portisco marina. The restaurant also hosts outdoor concerts and art exhibitions during the summer months.
After lunch, we’ll head to another beach to swim, snorkel or sunbathe. For dinner, we’ll head over to Su Cubone to sit on their terrace and eat some of the best seafood dishes in Portisco. After dinner, if you aren’t quite ready to go to bed, we will head over to Porto Cervo, which is bursting with colorful, lively nightclubs.
Then it’s back to the boat to rest up for another day sailing the Italian seas.
Day 2: After breakfast, we will sail to Caprera Island. First, we will arrive in Porto Palma, which isn’t a real port but instead a beautiful bay. Here we will stop for a quick swim or snorkel before heading along the coast of Caprera to our final destination Cala Cotticio. Here we will anchor for the day. Expect crystal clear waters with a beautiful emerald color—perfect for another swim before lunch. Lunch will be served on board, where we will have a Sardinian aperitif, lunch, Vermentino wine, and some famous Mirto liqueur.
Fun fact: Mirto is a popular liqueur in Sardinia and is made by macerating red myrtle berries in alcohol. Make sure to try some on your charter trip to Sardinia.
We will then go ashore and visit Giuseppe Garibaldi’s house and numerous personal belongings at the Garibaldi Museum. We will then head back to the boat, where guests can jump right back into the water and swim or snorkel before dinner.
For dinner, a delicious authentic Sardinian dinner will be served on board which will include some local wine choices and mirto liqueur.
Day 3: It’s time to sail to Bonifacio, located on the southern tip of Corsica. Although an official part of France, Bonifacio’s has more of an Italian feel. As Bonifacio is at the head of a deep fjord, it has one of the most spectacular natural harbors in the world.
In the morning, we’ll take advantage of the onboard equipment and get the kayaks out for a pre-lunch paddle to explore some nearby caves. One of our stops will include the Cave of Lovers, where skylights make the water shimmer, and heart-shaped holes in the rock create a beautiful sight to see. For lunch, we’ll paddle to a nearby beach where a barbecue lunch will be waiting for you.
The afternoon is all about relaxation. After lunch, we’ll kayak back to the boat, where guests can choose to relax on the boat, swim, or snorkel. We’ll head on over to the Restaurant Stella d’Oro, which serves traditional Corsican and gourmet cuisine for dinner. The restaurant cuisine has been handed down from generation to generation and kept a secret from mother to daughter.
If the night beckons you further, we’ll head to the bars on Quai Comparetti, where you can enjoy the social scene Bonifacio has to offer.
Day 4: Today is all about exploring more of what Bonifacio and the surrounding areas offer. In the morning, we will head on over to Palobaggio beach, which has been voted one of the top 10 beaches in Europe.
We will then head into Bonifacio’s Old town, where we will eat lunch before exploring what this medieval town has to offer. We’ll pass by beautiful churches, quaint streets with interesting architectural features and visit the Staircase of the Kind of Aragon—a steep staircase cut into the cliff below the old town.
In the evening, we will head over to CasadelMar, which features a gastronomic Michelin-starred restaurant and a private beach. Guests will enjoy a Mediterranean menu featuring sublime dishes such as cannelloni of sea bass and spider crab and lasagne with squid and tiger prawns.
Day 5: Today, we will set sail to Budelli island. But before we get there, we’ll make a couple of extra stops. Our first destination will be Spargi Island, uninhabited and only accessible by boats. Here we will explore a couple of the nearby bays. The beckoning turquoise waters mean that this is the perfect place for a swim before moving on to our next destination. Lunch will be served on the boat as we move to our next destination.
Our second destination is Budelli Island, famous for its pink sand from coral shattered and smashed by the sea. Unfortunately, the beach is now protected, and access to its environmentally threatened sands and waters is forbidden. However, we will pause offshore, allowing you to enjoy its beauty. We will then head to the beaches of Cala Piatto, Cala Cisternone, and Cala di Trana, which are equally as stunning. Guests will be able to swim, snorkel or just relax until dinnertime.
Dinner will be served on board.
Day 6: We will continue to explore the Maddalena Islands, stopping at least once to make sure that guests can take the opportunity to jump headfirst into the region’s turquoise-blue waters before anchoring on La Maddalena Island.
This island is famous for its beaches and offers a little bit of something for everyone. Guests can go swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving before heading into two to explore and shop for locally made coral necklaces.
Day 7: As this is the last day of charter, we’ll make our way back to Portisco, stopping along the way to ensure that charter guests can get in one last swim before we dock. Lunch will be served on board. Once we arrive in Portisco, guests have the option to visit the port town of Olbia, which is around nine miles away. We will stroll through the famous Corso Umberto (main street), where we will do some shopping before sitting down for lunch.
As we sail back to Portisco, we’ll stop and visit the nearby islands of Tavolara and Molara, where we’ll swim or snorkel before heading back and anchoring in Portisco. In the evening, guests can either eat at one of the restaurants in town or enjoy their last meal on the boat.
Day 8: Good morning! Get up, drink a nice warm cup of coffee on the deck, and soak in all the magic of Sardinia one last time. This is the last day of your charter; we will take you back to your drop-off location, where you will disembark. Until next time!
*Remember that we are here to help you plan your dream vacation, so the itinerary outlined above can be changed. All you need to do is discuss your needs with our crew, and we will do our best to make it happen. Do you want to stay one day longer for a particular bay or move on to a new experience? No problem, we are here to make your visit to Italy unforgettable.
